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Things to do this week in NYC May 22-May 29: Music

Jazz, Hip-Hop, Reggae, or the classics ? New York City venues feature music from all cultures. Whether you're catching an aria at Lincoln Center, or checking out a band at Central Park Summerstage, NYC has a gig you won't want to miss.

Every Saturday night, the Highline combiniesg the live music of the 80's Rock & Roll era along with the best DJ's spinning the present hits. 21 & over. Doors at 10:30pm, show at 11pm. $20. RSVP to info@4kent.com

Elizabeth Ayoub, voice and guitar with Arturo Martinez, guitar; Joe Zeytoonian, oud, arab percussion; Ramzi El Edlibi, arab percussion; Chris Marashlian, bass; Enrique Lopez, cuban tres. Tonight's performance marks both the New York City and Alwan debut of Lebanese-Venezuelan singer Elizabeth Ayoub, whose songs combine the sensual latin rhythms and tones of the Caribbean and Hispanic America with the haunting melodies of her ancestral homeland of Lebanon. Further enriched by influences from the popular music of North America and Europe and her uniquely beautiful, heartfelt voice, this evening's concert sin fronteras ("without borders") is an lyrical amalgam not to be missed.

Join Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter WALLACE for a live performance at the Rockwood Music Hall on Saturday, May 22 at 7PM where he will perform songs from his debut EP, Playing With Fire. Wallace rages and laments with a guitar in one hand and a harmonica in another - all the while gripping listeners by the ears with his scorching melodies and thrilling post-grunge, acoustic, folk sound. "With just his voice and acoustic guitar, accented occasionally by harmonica or tambourine, [Wallace] makes bigger sounds than should be expected," raves Greencastle Banner-Graphic. To learn more about Wallace, visit: www.myspace.com/wallaceonfire.

Doors 6pm, Show 8pm. Tickets: $25. The Mighty Sparrow is the unrivaled Calypso King of the World, with a career that spans over 40 years and counting. This artist par excellence has earned his rightful place as "King of the Calypso World" by defeating every other competitor/pretender to his throne. He has entertained audiences across the globe, including, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, to name but a few.

The best musician you've never seen on stage is set to absolve you of that deficiency with a series of concerts this and every Saturday evening throughout the summer. Paul Zunno spent seven years as lead guitarist for Wilson Pickett, whose ear for virtuosity was such that previous holders of the post included Jimi Hendrix and Duane Allman. The years and ears since have continued to bring acclamation. Zunno has seen his highly praised recordings licensed for television by producers who, like Pickett, weren't exactly short on options. On stage, Zunno unleashes the kind of fretwork that ought to be followed by diagrammed, slow-mo replay; and he sings in a voice that will make yours seem stuck in falsetto. There is no minimum drink requirement, but be forewarned: few can resist buying one or all three of Zunno's CDs on their way out the door, where, often enough, the artist himself is available for handshakes and autographs. The show starts at 8pm and has a running time of 1 hour and 15 minutes with no intermission. The doors open at 7:30pm and seating is general admission.

DJs Sleepy & Boo bring the sounds of the underground to Water Taxi Beach South Street Seaport for a dynamic series of Sunday sunset sessions. Featuring a diverse lineup of international guest DJs, manning the turntables alongside New York locals, these events offer dance music lovers a chance to see some of the world's most esteemed DJs performing in one of the Big Apple's most stunning locations. Beach opens at 1:00pm. Entertainment starts at 4:00pm. Admission: $10*, beginning at 7:00pm. 21+ after 7:00pm.

Doors 6pm, Show 8pm. $25 adv, $30 door. Since 1994, his ace instrumental skill (mainly on guitar, but also on mandolin) and burnished, soulful tenor singing have been key components of Alison Krauss and Union Station, arguably the most visible and successful bluegrass band in the modern era. Tyminski notably stepped ever more deeply into the popular conscience as the singing voice of George Clooney in the Coen Brothers' Odyssean farce O Brother, Where Art Thou? In addition to being a pivotal element in the plot of the film, his powerful rendition of the Stanley Brothers' version of "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" became a surprise hit single - firing off a popular renaissance in bluegrass in the process.

Doors at 6:00pm, Show at 7:00pm. $199. This special Fan Event includes: Acoustic performance, Q&A and Meet & Greet. You must join and be a member of the backstreetboys.com official fan community in order to purchase tickets. You can purchase your membership at http://www.backstreetboys.com/store/product/bsb-sub-0001/.

A rusty old tambourine nailbin of a night, with hurt trombones and mournful accordions, rowdy raccoons and sweet honeybees, silhouette charms and whiskey tenors screaming at the rain. Composer Dave Malloy (Three Pianos, Beowulf - A Thousand Years of Baggage, Clown Bible, 2009 Jonathan Larson Grant winner) and a band of ten, including members of Banana Bag & Bodice, Three Pianos and The TEAM, work their way through a cacophonous pile of songs spanning four musicals and ten years of never before performed solo work. It's raucous anti-musical musical theater at its best.
With Jen Baker, Rick Burkhardt, Heather Christian, Jason Craig, Alec Duffy, Ezra Gale, Jessica Jelliffe, Mario Maggio and Peter Wise.
Directed by Rachel Chavkin.

The Moth presents the GrandSLAM, a battle of wits and words - fierce, hilarious, heartbreaking and all points between. The Moth is dedicated to finding intriguing people to tell inspired stories. At The Moth StorySLAM, those people find us. On this night, using words as weapons, they battle it out to determine The Moth's GrandSLAM Story Champion.
The Moth, a not-for-profit storytelling organization, was founded in New York in 1997 by poet and novelist George Dawes Green, who wanted to recreate in New York the feeling of sultry summer evenings on his native St. Simon's Island, Georgia, where he and a small circle of friends would gather to spin spellbinding tales on his friend Wanda's porch. After moving to New York, George missed the sense of connection he had felt sharing stories with his friends back home, and he decided to invite a few friends over to his New York apartment to tell and hear stories. Thus the first "Moth" evening took place in his living room. Word of these captivating story nights quickly spread, and The Moth moved to bigger venues in New York. Today, The Moth conducts six ongoing programs and has brought more than 3,000 live stories to over 100,000 audience members.
The Moth believes that everyone has a story. The Moth created StorySLAM to give those stories a forum. Following the wild success of our Mainstage series, The Moth sought to accommodate all the people who asked, "When can I tell my story?" and to encourage those people who doubted they had a story worth telling. The Moth StorySLAM provides a stage and a microphone, a theme to inspire and shape the evening, a lively and supportive audience, and a host to guide the festivities. Stories are limited to five minutes, and ten stories are heard. The stories are scored by three teams of audience-member judges, and a winner is announced at every SLAM. SLAM winners later face off in a Moth GrandSLAM. Since 2001, the raucous, moving, funny and wild quilt of themed stories that emerge during each show has kept the crowds coming back again and again. SLAMs are now held on both coasts, in New York City and Los Angeles!

Touted as one of the best guitar players in the world, Richie Kotzen also possesses a voice on par with some of the greatest rock/soul singers and is highly regarded as a gifted songwriter. With guitar styles ranging from rock, blues, jazz and fusion to pop and soul, Kotzen has built a remarkably diverse 20 year career as a guitarist, singer and songwriter. During that span, he has not only built an incredibly successful solo career, but has also found himself writing, recording and playing live with a variety of different artists, ranging from Pop/Rock bands like Poison and Mr. Big to Jazz/Fusion groups like Vertu featuring Kotzen and Jazz legends Stanley Clarke and Lenny White. Doors at 6:00pm, Show at 8:00pm. $20 adv, $25 at door. VIP tickets available for $100 each (includes show ticket, early soundcheck entry, reserved seats in the balcony (first come, first seated), post-show meet & greet and merch pack [includes: commemorative laminate/lanyard, tour t-shirt, limited edition tour poster - heavy stock - signed and numbered + copy of the new CD, PEACE SIGN])

Be a part of the funniest made-up concert event ever! Alicia Levy and her rockin' band serve up classic favorites, future hits, live chicks and stiff drinks, all in a hot night guaranteed to be outta site! Directed by Peter Michael Marino. Written and performed by Alicia Levy. Keyboard and Music Director- John Prestianni. Choreographer- Joelle Lewis.

A phenomenal success since its founding, Amateur Night has always lured audiences with the thrilling prospect of discovering new talent. At 75, Apollo Amateur Night continues to demand and reward greatness, as performers vie to become the next Apollo legend.

Bettye LaVette brings the British Invasion home to its American R&B roots on her latest CD, Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook, due May 25 on Anti-. Throughout Interpretations, her performances are a revelation not just of raw emotion, but of the inexorable ties between British rock 'n' roll and the American blues and R&B, which when combined, catalyzed popular music. That Lennon, McCartney, and so many others who crossed the Atlantic in their wake, were deeply influenced by American music is no great secret. What Bettye demonstrates here so convincingly is the degree to which rock 'n' roll and American soul remain bound by bloodlines. Doors at 7:00pm, Show at 9:00pm. $27.50 adv, $30 at door.

Be a part of history and come get guitarded during New York comedy-music duo and internet sensation Stuckey & Murray's live album recording. Performing an extravaganza of songs, videos, and songs about videos with an array of special guests, the duo wants to record YOU snickering, giggling, or just coughing in the audience. Written and performed by Andy Stuckey and Jon Murray.

Doors 6pm, Show 8pm. $28.50 adv, $32 door. VIP Booth for 4: $192 // VIP Booth for 6: $288. The Yardbirds are more than a Rock band.they are an institution.which, in the brief period from 1963 to 1968, made an indelible mark on the "Shapes of Things" to come. To the casual music fan, The Yardbirds are best known as the band that honed the skills of future "guitar gods" Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page; and for their slew of chart hits, including "For Your Love," "Heart Full of Soul", "I'm A Man", and "Over Under Sideways Down". However, led by core members and songwriters Jim McCarty (drums), Chris Dreja (rhythm guitar/bass) and the late Keith Relf (vocals/harmonica), the band's experimental explorations also provided the crucial link between British R&B, Psychedelic Rock, and Heavy Metal, while pioneering the use of innovations like fuzz tone, feedback and distortion. Even their 1968 break-up set the stage for Rock 'n' Roll's future.leading Jimmy Page to form the New Yardbirds, later re-christened Led Zeppelin.

Doors 10pm, Show 10:30pm. $22.50 adv, $28 door. In 2003, Lloyd Banks was anointed 2003's Mixtape Artist of the Year due to his appearance on G-Unit mixtapes as well as his own Money in the Bank series. After the successful G-Unit album it was time for Lloyd Banks to release his solo album The Hunger For More. Lloyd Banks released the summer smash hit On Fire featuring 50 Cent to help his album sell over 433,000 its first week and eventually selling over 1.6 million records in the US and 2 million worldwide. Lloyd Banks released Rotten Apple on October 10, 2006, selling 143,000 copies in its first week debuting at number 3 on the Billboard 200. Banks released his highly anticipated mixtape Mo Money in the Bank Pt.5: The Final Chapter on December the 15th. Banks is currently featured in the Eminem Re Up single You Don't Know along with 50 Cent and Up and Coming Shady Artist Cashis.

Doors 6pm, Show 7pm. $20 adv, $25 door. The Commander Cody Band represents the essence of American roots music - from old time rock and roll, redneck country, boogie-woogie, Cajun, swing/jazz plus their runaway hit HOT ROD LINCOLN, which reached top ten in 1972.

With Cracker, Miss Derringer. Undeniably, The Reverend Horton Heat, aka Jim Heath, is the biggest, baddest, grittiest, greasiest, greatest rocker that ever piled his hair up and pounded the drinks down. Without question, for all of his outlandish antics, blistering stage performances and legendary musical prowess, the one thing The Rev always gets asked about is the story behind his unusual and rather clerical moniker. "Well, there used to be this guy who ran this place in Deep Ellum, Texas who used to call me Horton- my last name is Heath," says The Rev. "Anyway, this guy hired me and right before the show he goes, "Your stage name should be Reverend Horton Heat! Your music is like gospel" and I thought it was pretty ridiculous. So I'm up there playing and after the first few songs, people are saying, "Yeah, Reverend!" What's really funny is that this guy gave up the bar business, and actually became a preacher! Now he comes to our shows and says, "Jim, you really should drop this whole Reverend thing." It's been an almost 20-year journey for Heath, whose country-flavored punkabilly and onstage antics have brought him and his band a strikingly diverse fan base and a devoted cult following, not to mention the respect of fellow musicians worldwide. Revival, the band's first release for Yep Roc Records, is a return to Heath's roots - musical and geographical. Doors at 6:00pm, Show at 8:00pm. $30.

In its 12th Season of outdoor summer events, Turntables on the Hudson is happy to announce its bi-weekly Friday night events @ Water Taxi Beach Long Island City. As always, TOTH keeps it funky and fun for everyone as they take you on a musical circus ride around the World & back in the course of a night with DJ Nickodemus & guests + Nappy G on percussion & an occasional Brassband, Samba Drum Troupe. For more info, visit www.turntablesonthehudson.com and www.nickodemus.com. Admission: $10* after 8:00pm, may vary with special guest artists. 21+ after 8:00pm. 6pm-2am.

For the 15th consecutive year, NBC's TODAY show brings together the biggest names in music to rock the Plaza with free Friday morning performances. Viewing is on a first-come, first-served basis; 6am arrival is suggested.

Doors 10:30pm, Show 11pm. $10 adv, $12 door. Storm Front is a Tribute to the musical genius of Billy Joel. Fronted by singer/pianist Mike O'Brien,and backed by his band Storm Front and the Hang em' High horn section, no other comes closer to recreating the sounds of Billy Joel. Their show consists of playing hit after hit of Joel's musical catalogue with acute accuracy. And a few album nuggets for the die hard fan! Hits like "Movin Out',"My Life","It's Still Rock n Roll to Me" and of course,"Piano Man" will keep the audience singing all night long! Their musical experience accompanied by a high energy performance will leave any Joel fan screaming for more!!!

Every Saturday night, the Highline combiniesg the live music of the 80's Rock & Roll era along with the best DJ's spinning the present hits. 21 & over. Doors at 10:30pm, show at 11pm. $20. RSVP to info@4kent.com

Doors 6pm, Show 8pm. $25 adv, $30 show. VIP Booth for 4: $140 // VIP Booth for 6: $210. Whitley and the Hard Times Band perform the exciting and uplifting music of Ray Charles, which include a wonderful blend of musical styles which range from Jazz and Blues, to Country and R&B. The band features a stellar line-up of musicians whose performing credits include: Ben E. King, Michael McDonald, Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle, George Clinton, Prince, Liza Minnelli, Jimmy Vivino, Rod Stewart, Celia Cruz, Aretha Franklin, Tito Puente, The O'Jays, Donna Summers, Temptations, Four Tops, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Frank Sinatra, Lionel Hampton + Vocalist Angela Workman was a Raelette in Ray Charles' band. Cary Hoffman is New York's premier Sinatra interpreter, garnering incredible critic response. 'My Sinatra' is not a Vegas-like impersonation, but rather a sincere artistic interpretation of the brilliant songs Frank Sinatra turned into American pop standards in his classic period from 1953 to the early '60s. Strung together with compelling stories about the songs, their composers, and Sinatra, this show is accompanied by a full orchestra masterfully playing transcriptions from the original Sinatra arrangers, Nelson Riddle and Billie May.

Doors at 6:00pm, Show at 7:30pm. $10 adv, $12 at door. 80s to the point of excess, Unisex Salon is everything you love to love about the "Me Decade": shameless, upbeat and heavy on the synths. Garishly tattooed, pansexual lead singer Kenyon Phillips brings to mind a modern Adam Ant, mincing, growling and crooning his way through danceable New Wave soundscapes crafted by keyboard player Brian Gumbel, bass player Jansen Cinco (Lukas Haas, Domino Kirke, Charles Tolliver) and former Fun Lovin' Criminals drummer Stephen Borgovini. Backup singer Autumn Ready Potter rounds out the sound with disarmingly pretty harmonies that, like The Osmonds, are a little bit country and a little bit rock n' roll. The band's Bacchanalian live sets have garnered quite a following in their hometown of New York, where they have opened for the likes of The Fratellis and Heloise & The Savoir Faire.

Amir ElSaffar - Santoor and Vocals; Dena ElSaffar - Jowza and Vocals and featuring Zafer Tawil - Oud, Violin; Johnny Farraj - Riqq. Safaafir returns to Alwan for the first time in four years, presenting its thoughtful, inspired rendition of the rich Iraqi maqam tradition. Tickets: $15, available at the door or online. (A surcharge applies; use printout as your ticket). Doors open at 8:30 p.m.

The first exhibition to explore New York City's century-long relationship with the car, marking the 100th anniversary of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA). The exhibition features visionary drawings and models; historic photographs, films, and advertisements; and a wealth of car memorabilia to tell this fascinating, yet untold, story.

Birthday celebrations and concomitant themes of longevity are pervasive in Chinese art of the Ming and Qing dynasties. A recurring scene of a splendid reception at the residence of a wealthy family, represented in a lacquered screen, a set of embroidered hanging scrolls, and a porcelain vase, shows the eightieth birthday gathering for the Tang-dynasty general Guo Ziyi, a popular figure of long life, wealth, and honor. Longevity is also encoded in peaches, cranes, immortals, and flora and fauna of many kinds, sometimes forming sophisticated visual word play expressing wishes of long life for the honoree. The exhibition will draw together works in many media from the Museum's collection to illuminate these auspicious themes.